Abdulrahman Govt's Transparency Deficit And Need For Accountability, Reform In KWASSIP Operations
By Sulaiman Onimago
Recent developments surrounding the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), particularly accusations of mismanagement of public funds, call for urgent scrutiny and accountability. It is my hope that anti-corruption agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—will respond to the concerns of Kwarans by launching a comprehensive probe into allegations of corruption against KWASSIP management. Accountability and transparency must prevail to restore public trust in the agency.
Amidst these allegations, the State government has announced plans to hold a 'mega empowerment’ before the end of December. One cannot ignore the timing of this proposed mega empowerment programme. Is it a genuine initiative to uplift the people or a reactionary measure to counter the petition submitted by a civil society organisation to the EFCC? Did we have similar empowerment in 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023? The answer is no. Its sudden announcement following the petition raises serious doubts about the administration’s motives.
The silence from KWASSIP Acting DG and the state government on the corruption allegations is equally troubling. Instead of addressing the petition directly, the public is met with the announcement of a mega empowerment initiative. Kwarans will recall that when questioned about KWASSIP’s funds, the Acting Chairman deflected responsibility, saying only the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor could speak on the matter. The CPS, in turn, rose to his defense, but no clear answers have been provided.
In a recent article, I raised concerns about the questionable relationship between the acting Director-General of KWASSIP and the state government, particularly the apparent use of the program as a political tool. These concerns now seem more justified than ever. The state’s budgetary allocation of ₦12.6 billion to KWASSIP raises critical questions. If ₦12.6 billion was indeed allocated for empowerment programs, why does Kwara still grapple with a high poverty rate after five years? How can ₦12.6 billion be allocated to KWASSIP in the 2024 budget with no significant impact to show for it? Where is the evidence that these funds have truly empowered our people in a meaningful way? The state government must also disclose how much was allocated to KWASSIP in the previous years. This is taxpayers’ money, and the people of Kwara deserve transparency and accountability. The lack of tangible outcomes raises serious questions about the program's implementation and management. The government owes us a comprehensive breakdown of how these funds have been utilized. Until these pressing questions are answered, I will continue to demand accountability.
Aside KWASSIP, the utilisation of funds accruing to Kwara through the NG-CARES initiative has also been shrouded in secrecy. Kwarans do not know how much the Abdulrazaq administration has collected on their behalf and how these funds have been utilised. NG-CARES is a social investment programme that was introduced by immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, which was sustained by the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. However, there has been no transparency on the management of the state’s share under the initiative. Before the last general elections, a senator from Ondo State accused governors of mismanaging NG-CARES funds, and none, including our own Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, provided convincing explanations about how these funds were spent. I am hereby challenging the Abdulrazaq government to tell us how much it has received under NG-CARES and how it was spent.
The Abdulrazaq administration has always scored low when it comes to fiscal transparency and accountability. This glaring lack of transparency is visible on all fronts. Talk of federal allocations, IGR, and grants, everything is shrouded in secrecy. This is deeply troubling, leaving the impression that the people of Kwara are being shortchanged. The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding public funds only deepens public distrust. The administration owes Kwarans a thorough explanation and a commitment to addressing their concerns transparently. Silence and reactionary programmes are not the solutions our people deserve.
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